DE102016123328A1 - lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a rotatably mounted rotary latch and one of the rotary latch associated pivotable pawl, characterized by at least one inductive sensor for detecting a position of the rotary latch and / or the pawl.

Description

The present invention relates to a lock, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a rotatably mounted rotary latch and one of the rotary latch associated pivotable pawl.

Such a lock is basically known and used for example in a motor vehicle for locking a closing device, such as a door, hood, tailgate or the like. In a closed position, the pawl engages with the rotary latch and thus prevents the rotary latch from unscrewing into an open position, in which the rotary latch can release a striker.

Sometimes there is a desire to know the position of the catch and / or the pawl, so that for example an on-board computer of the motor vehicle can determine the closed or open position of the lock and recognize whether the closing is properly locked. Conventionally, microswitches are used to detect the position of the rotary latch and / or pawl, which are mechanically actuated upon rotation of the rotary latch or pivoting of the pawl. Based on an actuation state of the respective microswitch can detect whether the catch or the pawl are in their respective closed or open position.

However, microswitches are relatively expensive, require a lot of space, are prone to environmental influences and are also subject, since they are mechanically operated, especially with frequent operation increased wear.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a lock which overcomes the disadvantages associated with microswitches.

The object is achieved by a lock with the features of claim 1 and in particular by at least one inductive sensor for detecting a position of the rotary latch and / or pawl.

The invention is based on the general idea, the position of the catch and / or pawl differently than previously not by microswitches, but to detect contactless by using at least one inductive sensor. Due to the non-contact detection, the inductive sensor is not subject to significant wear. This contributes to an increased life of the lock and ensures a permanently reliable detection of the position of the catch and / or pawl over the entire life of the castle.

In general, an inductive sensor generates by means of an electrical resonant circuit an electromagnetic field, which causes eddy currents in an electrically conductive material, such as a metal or an electrically conductive plastic, which in turn affect the oscillation behavior of the electrical resonant circuit. In this case, the change in the oscillation behavior of the distance of the sensor to the electrically conductive material, depending on the amount of electrically conductive material and the material properties of the electrically conductive material.

Since inductive sensors are largely insensitive to environmental influences, a reliable function of these sensors and thus of the lock as a whole is permanently ensured. Moreover, due to its compact design, an inductive sensor can be easily integrated into the lock without undue stress on the installation space, which contributes to a more compact design of the lock as a whole or allows more installation space for other components of the lock.

In principle, it is conceivable that only an inductive sensor is provided, which detects the positions of both the rotary latch and the pawl. It is also possible that only an inductive sensor is provided, which detects the positions of either the rotary latch or the pawl, which can then be indirectly deduced on the basis of the detected position of a component on the position of the unmonitored other component. Preferably, however, both the rotary latch and the pawl each have its own inductive sensor assigned.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

During a rotation of the rotary latch and / or during a pivoting of the pawl, the sensor preferably detects a change in a quantity of electrically conductive material in a detection range of the sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can detect a change in a distance between the sensor and a surface of the electrically conductive material facing the sensor during a rotation of the rotary latch and / or a pivoting of the pawl.

It is fundamentally irrelevant whether the inductive sensor is fixedly mounted on the movable components of the lock, ie the rotary latch and / or the pawl and detects a change in the amount of and / or the distance to an electrically conductive material in a detection range of the sensor , or whether the sensor is fixedly mounted with respect to the catch and / or pawl, for example to a housing of the lock.

A simpler design of the castle can be achieved in particular by the latter, fixed attachment of the sensor. In this case, an electrically conductive material should preferably be provided on or in the rotary latch and / or pawl, which moves during a rotation of the rotary latch and / or a pivoting of the pawl through a detection range of the sensor.

The amount of the electrically conductive material located in the detection range of the sensor can change, in particular change continuously, during a rotation of the rotary latch. Accordingly, the amount of electrically conductive material located in the detection region of the sensor can also change, in particular continuously change, when the pawl pivots.

Not only the amount of electrically conductive material may change with a rotation of the rotary latch, in particular continuously change, but also in addition or alternately a distance between the sensor and a sensor facing surface of the electrically conductive material. Accordingly, a distance between the sensor and a surface of the electrically conductive material facing the sensor can change, in particular change continuously, when the pawl pivots.

Preferably, the rotary latch and / or pawl are at least approximately completely formed of an electrically conductive material, such as metal or an electrically conductive plastic.

Alternatively, the rotary latch and / or the pawl may each be substantially made of an electrically non-conductive material, for example of an electrically non-conductive plastic or a ceramic, and comprise a detection element made of an electrically conductive material. In this case, the detection element may be embedded in the electrically non-conductive material or attached to the electrically non-conductive material.

Moreover, it is also conceivable that the rotary latch is formed at least approximately completely from an electrically conductive material and the pawl is essentially formed from an electrically non-conductive material and has a detection element made of an electrically conductive material. It can also be dispensed with the pawl associated detection element when only one position of the catch to be detected. In an analogous manner, vice versa, the pawl may be at least approximately completely formed of an electrically conductive material and the rotary latch substantially consist of an electrically non-conductive material and having a detection element made of an electrically conductive material. Again, it is conceivable to dispense with the catch associated with the detection element, if only one position of the pawl is to be detected.

The detection element does not necessarily have to be designed in one piece, but may also be in the form of a plurality of segments, wherein the distances of the individual segments to the sensor and / or a quantity of electrically conductive material and / or a condition of the electrically conductive material in can distinguish between the respective segments or can.

In contrast to micro-switches, which can detect a position of the catch and / or pawl only in the form of a binary switching signal, i. can detect only whether the catch and / or pawl is either in a closed or open position, can be determined by the inductive sensor and an absolute position of the catch and / or pawl detect. Thus, it can be detected in which position the catch and / or pawl are currently located at a given time, and it is detected whether the catch and / or pawl momentarily in an intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open Are located or located, for example, when the catch and / or pawl are blocked or is.

In order for an absolute position of the rotary latch and / or pawl can be detected, it is important that a detuning of the electrical resonant circuit of the inductive sensor can be assigned in a unique, characteristic way each position of the rotary latch and / or pawl. This can be done, for example, by increasing a quantity and / or a distance of the electrically conductive material in a specific direction of rotation of the rotary latch and / or a specific pivoting direction of the locking pawl, in particular continuously. Thus, the detection element for this example, have a wedge shape.

To reduce the effort for the evaluation of the sensor output, the sensor can instead of an absolute or continuous position detection, similar to a switch, alternatively on Output switching signal at a predetermined position of the catch and / or pawl.

To evaluate the signal output by the sensor, an evaluation unit is advantageously provided. The evaluation unit can form an independent component or can also be integrated in an on-board computer.

• 1 eine Innenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schlosses.

The invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to a possible embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

• 1 an interior view of a lock according to the invention.

1 shows a lock according to the invention, which can serve for example in a motor vehicle for locking a closing device, such as a door, hood, tailgate or the like. The lock comprises a housing 10 in which a catch 12 and one of the catch 12 associated pawl 14 are arranged. The catch 12 is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis A and the pawl 14 can be about a pivot axis B pivot.

Both the catch 12 as well as the pawl 14 are at least approximately completely made of an electrically conductive material, here metal. In principle, the catch can or can 12 and / or the pawl 14 but also predominantly of an electrically non-conductive material, such as for example of an electrically non-conductive plastic or a ceramic, be formed, wherein they then comprise a detection element (not shown) made of an electrically conductive material. The detection element may for example be embedded in the electrically non-conductive material. But it is also conceivable that the detection element on a rotary latch 12 in the circumferential direction delimiting boundary surface 20 and / or on one of the pivot axis B the pawl 14 opposite end portion 22 is appropriate.

In 1 are the rotary latch 12 and the pawl 14 each in a closed position, in which the catch 12 receiving a striker, not shown, which may be attached, for example, to a body of the motor vehicle. In the closed position is the pawl 14 with the catch 12 engaged, thus preventing the catch 12 can turn in an open position.

Will the pawl 14 from the rotary latch 12 pivoted away, the catch 12 can turn into the open position in which the striker is released. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking latch 14 by pivoting to the left, ie counterclockwise, of the catch 12 moved away, so that the catch 12 by a rotation about the axis of rotation A can also turn counterclockwise in the open position.

For detecting the positions of the rotary latch 12 and pawl 14 is in each case an inductive sensor 16 . 18 provided (in 1 represented by its respective positioning region), which is designed to, upon rotation of the rotary latch 12 or a pivoting of the pawl 14 a change in the distance between a surface of the electrically conductive material and the sensor 16 . 18 or a change in the amount of electrically conductive material in the respective detection range of the sensor 16 . 18 to detect.

Specifically are in 1 the positioning range of the sensor 16 for detecting the position of the rotary latch 12 (hereinafter, rotary shaft sensor 16 ) and the positioning range of the sensor 18 for detecting the position of the pawl 14 (hereinafter pawl sensor 18 ) hatched.

The rotary latch sensor 16 is located in relation to the axis of rotation A the catch 12 radially outside of the catch 12 , Basically, also several rotary shaft sensors 16 for detecting the position of the rotary latch 12 be provided.

The pawl sensor 18 is arranged so that it moves with a range of movement of the pawl 14 overlaps. It is understood that also several pawl sensors 18 for detecting the position of the pawl 14 can be provided.

It should be noted that the positions of the rotary latch sensor 16 or the pawl sensor 18 not on the in 1 are shown but may be arranged on other areas in accordance with the manner described above, as long as a detection of the position of the rotary latch 12 and / or pawl 14 is guaranteed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary latch sensor 16 in relation to the catch 12 stationary on the housing 10 attached to the castle. Likewise, the pawl sensor 18 in relation to the pawl 14 stationary on the housing 10 appropriate. In principle, it is also conceivable that the rotary latch sensor 16 directly at the catch 12 and / or the pawl sensor 18 directly on the pawl 14 are mounted and a change in the amount of electrically conductive material and / or a change in the distance to a surface of an electrically conductive material of the housing 10 detect.

The boundary surface 20 the catch 12 has different radial distances to the axis of rotation A the catch 12 on, so that at a rotation of the catch 12 the distance between the boundary surface 20 and the rotary latch sensor 16 changes. Because the catch 12 , as already mentioned, is formed at least approximately completely from electrically conductive material, changes with a rotation of the rotary latch 12 hence the distance between the surface of the electrically conductive material and the rotary latch sensor 16 and the amount of electrically conductive material which is in the detection range of the rotary latch sensor 16 located.

The end section 22 the pawl 14 has one with respect to the pivot axis B radially inwardly offset recess 24 on, which seen in the pivoting direction by two radially outwardly extending projections 26 is limited. Regarding the pawl sensor 18 are the recess 24 and the extensions 26 arranged so that they are at a pivoting of the pawl 14 under the pawl sensor 18 move through.

At a rotation of the catch 12 this is at the rotary latch sensor 16 moved past, causing the oscillation behavior of the rotary shaft sensor 16 depending on the detected distance to the surface of the electrically conductive material and thus the amount of electrically conductive material in the detection region of the rotary latch sensor 16 changed. Based on the change in the oscillation behavior of the rotary shaft sensor 16 can be adjusted to the rotational position of the catch 12 back close.

Is the boundary surface 20 the catch 12 designed such that any position of the catch 12 a clear detuning of the resonant circuit of the rotary latch sensor 16 can be assigned, so can an absolute, ie actual, position of the catch 12 Detect in each rotational position. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a predetermined distance between the boundary surface 20 and the rotary latch sensor 16 and / or a predetermined amount of electrically conductive material, the rotary latch sensor 16 cause it to generate a switching signal comparable to a switch, which can be used to switch between the closed position and the open position of the rotary latch 12 to distinguish.

In a corresponding manner, when pivoting the pawl 14 the end section 22 the pawl 14 on the pawl sensor 18 moved past. Because of the recess 24 of the end section 22 changes with a pivoting of the pawl 12 the amount of that from the pawl sensor 18 detected electrically conductive material, whereby the oscillation behavior of the pawl sensor 18 changes, based on which the position of the pawl 14 can be detected.

Is the end section 22 the pawl 14 designed so characteristic that any position of the pawl 14 a clear detuning of the resonant circuit of the pawl sensor 18 can assign, so can an absolute, ie actual, position of the pawl 14 be detected. Alternatively, here also at a certain position of the pawl 14 caused oscillation behavior of the pawl sensor 18 be used to between the closed position and the open position of the pawl 14 to distinguish.

For evaluation of the sensors 16 . 18 output signals is an in 1 not shown evaluation provided, which may be integrated, for example, in an on-board computer of the motor vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

casing

12

catch

14

pawl

16

Rotary latch sensor

18

Pawl sensor

20

boundary surface

22

end

24

recess

26

extension

A

axis of rotation

B

swivel axis

Claims (11)

Lock, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a rotatably mounted rotary latch (12) and one of the rotary latch (12) associated pivotable pawl (14), characterized by at least one inductive sensor (16, 18) for detecting a position of the rotary latch (12) and / or the pawl (14). Lock after Claim 1 , characterized in that the sensor (16, 18) during a rotation of the rotary latch (12) and / or upon pivoting of the pawl (14) a change in an amount of electrically conductive material in a detection range of the sensor (16, 18) and / or a change in a distance between the sensor (16, 18) and a sensor (16, 18) facing surface of the electrically conductive material detected. Lock after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the sensor (16, 18) with respect to the rotary latch (12) and / or pawl (14) is fixedly mounted. Lock according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically conductive material is provided on or in the rotary latch (12) and / or pawl (14), which upon rotation of the rotary latch (12) and / or a pivoting of Pawl (14) through a detection range of the sensor (16, 18) moves. Lock after Claim 4 , characterized in that the amount of the electrically conductive material located in the detection region of the sensor (16) changes, in particular continuously changes, during a rotation of the rotary latch (12), and / or the amount of electrical energy in the detection region of the sensor (18). located electrically changing material at a pivoting of the pawl (14), in particular continuously changed. Lock after Claim 4 or 5 Changed, characterized in that a distance between the sensor (16) and a sensor (16) facing surface of the electrically conductive material with a rotation of the rotary catch (12), in particular continuously changes, and / or a distance between the sensor (18) and a sensor (18) facing surface of the electrically conductive material in a pivoting of the pawl (14) changed, in particular continuously changed. Lock according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary latch (12) and / or pawl (14) are at least approximately completely formed of an electrically conductive material. Castle after at least one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the rotary latch (12) is substantially formed of an electrically non-conductive material and comprises a detection element of electrically conductive material and / or the pawl (14) is formed substantially of an electrically non-conductive material and a detection element electrically conductive material. Lock according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16, 18) detects an absolute position of the rotary latch (12) and / or pawl (14). Lock according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16, 18) generates a switching signal at a predetermined position of the rotary latch (12) and / or pawl (14). Lock according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by an evaluation unit for evaluating a signal output by the sensor (16, 18).

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